Only Antony was at fault. He put his desire in charge of his
reason. So what if you ran from the battle, terrified, as ranks of
ships threatened one another? Why should he have followed you? With
half the world opposing the other half, it wasn’t the time for
Antony, the pivotal player, to let love distract him. To race after
your departing ships, leaving his navy to watch, was a shame as
great as the resulting loss.

CLEOPATRA

Prithee,
peace.

CLEOPATRA

Please, let’s not talk about it.

Enter AMBASSADOR with
ANTONY

The AMBASSADOR and
ANTONY enter.

ANTONY

Is that his answer?

ANTONY

Is that his answer?

AMBASSADOR

Ay, my lord.

AMBASSADOR

Yes, my lord.

15

ANTONY

The Queen shall then have courtesy, so she

Will yield us up?

ANTONY

The Queen will be treated fairly if she gives me up?

AMBASSADOR

He says so.

AMBASSADOR

That’s what he says.

ANTONY

Let her
know ’t.—

(to
CLEOPATRA) To the boy Caesar send this grizzled
head,

And he will fill thy wishes to the brim

With principalities.

ANTONY

Tell her. (to
CLEOPATRA) If you send my aged head to that
boy, Caesar, he’ll give you all the kingdoms you want.